The stone bridge is disappointing to both Mukluk and Mobled as a symbol of dwarven stoneworking exceptionalism as it seems to sigh with the stress with use but the tactics of lightening loads and crossing carefully single-file are successful.

Still, some stones topple and crumble, falling the good distance into the rushing water below, all but confirming an extra twenty pounds carried across by Martigan or Doruk would've surely resulted in a fatal fall.

The dilapidated bridge leads to another ledge that winds southeast alongside a very large lake - the source of the underground river. The cavern is quite large, with the lake's far shore lost in shadow and the sounds of lapping water echoing in your ears.

Ahead, a series of large rocks jut out from the lake's surface and apparently lead to another ledge which is just about even with the lake's surface.

Perception DC20:

1d20 + 11 ⇒ (9) + 11 = 20

You catch the sound of something - large but yet agile - submerging into the water. It sounded like it came from the middle of the lake (area 53 on the map)

As you pick your way along the lakeshort, somewhat nervously, intending to spread out, you hear a small splash and catch a glimpse of a small green light moving in the darkness. Then, the water erupts in a spray as a black-scaled dragon the size of a small horse bursts out of the water.

"MY CAVE! MIIIIIINE! LEAVE OR DIIEEEE!" its voice roars, echoing through the large cavern, as acid sprays onto Mobled and Doruk.

Hmm - do submerged creatures get cover from ranged touch attacks? I'm just going to rule it's a hit, but because the creature is 90% submerged in water, its half damage (and submerging into the water extinguishes any flames)

Doruk drops his bow and picks up his guisarme and shield hoping the creature decides to close and attack the party. He tries to plant himself in the rock so as to be an immovable force when the dragon does return.

Mobled heroically leaps onto one of the rocks, bringing her dorn-dergar down in a punctuating attack against the black dragon as it hisses and submerges.

Nerves are acute as everyone awaits the dragon's return and weapons are readied.

The dragon does not disappoint as it emerges from the water with a thundering splash, roaring and snapping at Mobled. Mukluk's arcane magic and Tiabrar's arrow whack into the enraged serpent as it's maw clamps down onto Mobled. "FOOLS! YOU WILL BE MY DINNER!"

Tiabrar and Mukluk both hit for 11HP. The creature did not emerge in range of Doruk's guisarme. Mobled's readied action triggers along with an AoO. Martigan and Petrel are welcome to revise round 3 actions.

Round 3, Initiative 5, Location J6
Readies to attack if it closes. It does not.

Round 4, Initiative 5, Location J6->K8
Doruk looks at the huge beast coming out of the water and at a tiny slip of rock behind Mobled that might be enough to get him within reach. He strides out to that rock and swings on the dragon.

The deities of Oerth smile brightly against the heroes as they square off with the dragon as Mukluk, Tiabrar and Mobled continue to do serious damage through it's surprisingly soft black scaly hide.

With each hit, it cries - "NO... NO... NO!" - in anger and surprise as it continues to bite and claw against poor Mobled, water splashing furiously about it in it's rage while trying to avoid Doruk's swings. (5ft "swim" to K,11)